So if I put my gliadiolus in pots, can they be left outside in the pots over winter? If not, how about in the garage? There's no light in there whatsoever, but I guess that doesn't matter for dormant bulbs.....?

The garage should be fine for winter storage, as long as it doesnt get really cold in there. A covering of fleece/old net curtain should help if the winter arctic. I'd wait until all the leaves have finally died off before storage- if you cut them back too soon the food store in the corms could be reduced & so result in less growth/flowers the following yr. BTW I'd either repot every yr or at least replace the top couple of inches of compost in the pot in the following spring. J.

Hi Ma, I'd find out the cost of 'getting a man in' with that amount of 'lawn'. I know that Helen Yemm in The Telegraph finally admitted she gave in & has found a session of regular lawn treatments has really paid off.

Worst job I was going to say tossing compost, but no, that I rather enjoy. Get absolutely filthy & sweaty & eventually have several bags of my compost that gets used for all sorts nowadays. Who's bright idea, not, was it to site mine under/near trees? The roots then find their way into the bottom of the bins & you can never get all of the stuff out because it's so compacted. Dont enjoy seiving it though- makes my back really ache- so dont do it regularly unless I absolutely need to.

Best job- sitting out there on a sunny day, plus a good book & occasionally nipping into the borders to tweak/remove something. J.

Ooh, peanut butter & jam butties... I've had a veggie wrap for mine, with an Eccles cake to follow.

More paperwork sorting awaits, but I need to book Tesco for next week & try, again, to get through to boiler manufacturer to get a visit organised. I've just about got used to the early wake up 'whistle', but I wish it didnt.........

Wet & increasingly windy here in Manchester. About 6-7C out there now.

If tomorrow is dry(er) I may, then may not, done wellies & waterproof gloves to finish cutting back the dead herbaceous at daughter's house. We're not totally sure yet what surprises await her, but time will tell. J.

I now always grow my dahlias in big pots. They just dont survive the slimey army in my soil.

Agree, biggest pot with good compost- JI3 type- plus food pellets/regular feeding over the season. Water gel added to the comopst at planting time too stops potential drying out- even in a season such as last yr.

Get supports in place fairly quickly otherwise a strong wind can do damage before you realise.

I dont have too many earwig problems, but do find some varieties are more suceptible to slug attack than others, even in the pots. I use copper tape/strips around the pot/plant stem of those I really wouldnt want to lose.

Mine are now starting off in the house- some on a sill, others in front of the patio windows. Any MP compost fine for that & yes, you'll need to repot a couple of times for the biggest flowered/tallest varieties. J.

Daughter needs a favour. I've been asked to go down to TC, again, to collect some curtains that have arrived at John Lewis. Have printed off all the paperwork & always have my photo driving licence with me. She hasnt got photo identity on her today, so Mum to the rescue before they get returned to the warehouse. After all the faffing around t'other day am just glad that she finally made up her mind! J.